Tank cleaner and polisher



June 7, 1967 R. c. MUELLER TANK CLEANER AND POLISHER Filed Oct. 25, 1965 2 Sheeis-Sheet 1 I NVEN TOR. RICHARD C. MUE'LL ER W EM June 7, 96 R. c. MUELLER TANK CLEANER AND POLISHER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 25, 1965 ww x mm w. a Mm INVENTOR. RICHARD 6. MUELLER United States Patent 3,327,336 TANK CLEANER AND POLISHER Richard C. Mueller, 1355 Muirlands Vista Way, La Jolla, Calif. 92037 Filed 0st. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 503,095 9 Claims. (Cl. 15--1.7)

The present invention relates to a tank cleaner and polisher and more particularly, to a tank cleaner and polisher which is for removing sediment from the interior surfaces of the tank in which it is installed.

In the prior art, manually applied means are available in the form of brushes, abrasive pads and vacuum cleaners, which move and pick up dirt particles at the point of contact. In a swimming pool, for instance, the normally installed pump filter system provides pool currents which cause matter while suspended, to slowly migrate to the point where the main drain is located. These currents, however, are insufficient to dislodge and resuspend particles which have settled on the bottom and sides, and no strong guidance takes them to the filter via the main drain. Other more sophisticated systems agitate the water by means of rotating streams, etc. These types, however, are extremely cumbersome in actual use and require long cleaning periods.

According to the invention, the main drain of a tank holds a swivel valve which is connected to a conduit preferably having a plurality of channels. The system is operated in two cycles for the purpose of first, dislodging foreign matter and moving it to the vicinity of the main drain; and second, drawing it off to be filtered. During one cycle the tank fluid being drawn through the swivel main drain valve is filtered and recirculated back through a return line to the tank. During another cycle the flow is reversed, and fluid is pumped into the tank through the swivel type main drain valve which directs it into the conduit. The conduit provides a shallow tunnel formed by its underside and the bottom of the tank. A plurality of ports is positioned along the tunnel walls of one or more of the channels for directing the supply of fluid into and along the tunnel, which guides dislodged sediment toward the main drain. A second channel of the multi-channel conduit has one or more propulsion jets for moving the conduit in a circumferential path around the tank thus rotating the rotary main drain valve. Appropriately spaced floats and suitably directed jets are positioned on the multichannel conduit in such a manner as to hold the conduit against the interior surfaces of the tank as it rotates around the tank. Periodically, the system will be reversed to its draining cycle, which then will pull the fluid directly into the main drain, carrying with it the sediment which has collected in its immediate vicinity from the impingement action of the tunnel ports.

Abrasives can be applied on the under side of the conduit for the purpose of polishing the tank if desired; and a brush or small spray can be added at the water-line level for localized additional cleansing.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a tank cleaner and polisher for automatically dislodging foreign matter from the internal surfaces thereof.

Another object is to provide a tank cleaner and polisher for dislodging, directing and carrying foreign matter to the vicinity of a drain.

A further object of the invention is to provide in combination with an automatic tank cleaning means, a carrier for appropriate abrasives or scouring means which are in moving contact with the interior surfaces of the tank.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of an automatic tank cleaner and polisher which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and install, and requires a minimum of maintainance.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of 3,327,336 Patented June 27, 1967 this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like referenced numerals designate like parts throughout the FIGURES thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an entire system of a swimming pool embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic flow diagram of one cycle of operation of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow diagram of the other cycle of operation of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a partly sectioned view of a multi-channeled conduit of FIG. 1.

While the invention will now be described as applied to a swimming pool cleaner and polisher, it is to be understood that it is applicable to tanks or vessels of any size and permits cleaning and polishing while full of the liquid they normally contain. Any container of liquid having substantially regularly contoured sides and bottom, which requires periodic removal of accumulated insoluble or unsuspended foreign matter and dirt particles, may be cleaned and polished by this invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a swimming pool 11 is shown having sides 12, bottom 20 and filled with water 13. A main drain 14 is shown having a drain line 16 in communication therewith. Above the main drain is a swivel assembly 17 to which is attached a multiple channel conduit 18. The multiple channel conduit has three channels which are attached to a float 23 to terminate at or below the water line 24. Water-line brush 30 can be rotatably mounted to float 23 for continuously brushing the exposed portion of side 12 as the float travels.

Main drain line 16 is coupled to a four-way valve 26. Pump intake line 27 is coupled between pump 28 and fourway valve 26. Pump exhaust line 29 is coupled between pump 28 and filter. Filter exhaust line 32 is coupled between filter 31 and four-way rotary valve 26. Skimmer line 34 is coupled between skimmer 33 and through check valve 36 to four-way rotary valve 26. Return line 37 couples the four-way valve 26 to pool 11 through check valve 38.

Valve actuator 56 is mechanically coupled to four-way valve 26. Adjustable timer 57 is coupled to valve actuator 56.

Referring to FIG. 2, swivel assembly 17 is shown during the sweep or cleaning cycle, as is four-way valve 26. Four-way valve 26 in the position shown has an inlet from filter exhaust 32 and an inlet from the skimmer line 34. Skimmer return line 34 has open check valve 36 and return line 37 has closed check valve 38. The two outlets from the four-way valve 26, in this position, are into main drain line 16 and pump intake 27. Swivel assembly 17 has a top portion 41, communicating wtih multiple-channel conduit 18 and is integral with bottom section 42 communicating with main drain line 16. Check valve 43, shown open, closes vertical section 42 in its closed position (FIG. 3). Float valves 44 and 46 are shown in their closed positions, closing ofl channel 47.

Referring to FIG. 3, four-way valve 26 and swivel assembly 17 are shown in an opposite cycle from that of FIG. 2. Here, four-way valve 26 has an intake from main drain 16 and from filter exhaust 32, and outlets to pump 27 and the return line 37. Check valve 43' in top portion 41 of swivel assembly 17 is now closed, shutting off multiple-channel conduit 18 from main drain line 16. Float valves 44 and 46 are open, placing the liquid 13 in communication with main drain 16 through channel 47.

Referring to FIG. 4, multiple-channel conduit 18 is shown in perspective, partially sectioned. Channels 19 and 21 have a plurality of ports 51 in communication with tunnel 52, defined by channels 19, 21 and 22 and the pool bottom 20. The bottom edges 53 of multi-channel conduit 18 can be coated with an abrasive for polishing the bottom 20 of the tank.

Operation Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 4, in the sweep cycle, pump 28 pulls water through four-way valve 26 from skimmer 33 and exhausts it through filter 31 and four-way valve 26 into main drain line 16-. In this cycle, the water is then forced up into the channels of multi-channel conduit 18. The water forced into channel 22 passes out jet 25, causing the multi-channel conduit 28 to travel around the boundary of tank 11. The multi-channel conduit 18 is suitably weighted and floated along the appropriate sections which, in addition to the outward vector of the reaction of jet 25, cause it to conform to the contours of bottom 20 and walls 12. As the conduit travels, water is jetted out ports 51 in channels 19 and 21, which are aimed toward the inner surface of the pool, and back toward main drain 14 dislodging foreign particles and causing water to flow down tunnel 52, carrying the said particles to the area of the swivel assembly 17. Periodically, four-way valve 26 is reversed, causing water tonow flow into channel 47 and down into main drain line 16, carrying with it the particles in proximity to swivel assembly 17.

The valving is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the first instance (FIG. 2) the intake line 27 of pump 28 is fed from skimmer line 34 and the exhaust 32 from filter 31 is supplied to main drain line 16, forcing water up through swivel assembly 17 and into multi-channel conduit 18. This direction of flow automatically closes float valves 44 and ,46 so that water cannot escape through channel 47. In the opposite cycle shown in FIG. 3,the exhaust line 32 from filter 31 is now coupled to reutrn line 37 through check valve 38 and skimmer 34 is closed 01f via check valve 36. Intake line 27 of pump 28 is now coupled to swivel assembly 17 via main drain line 16, taking water through channel 47 and float valves 44 and 46 from tank 11. In this cycle check valve 43 is automatically closed.

Referring back to FIG. 1, valve actuator 56 drives four-way valve 27. It is actuated by variable timer 57, which cycles the system periodically and determines the period of each cycle.

Hence, a system has been disclosed which is compatible with existing swimming pools in that the existing recirculation system is utilized. It is pointed out that, with the exception of the top of float 23 and water-line brush 30, the entire cleaning system is submerged, obviating the disadvantages of unsightliness, and the possibility of stray spraying or splashing around the edges of the pool. Further, the system can be in operation while the pool is in use, since it does not occupy the center portions of the surface of the water, nor does it require draining of the pool liquid for the purpose of abrasive polishing.

It is pointed out that if the instant invention were to be installed in a pool under construction simultaneous cleaning and draining can be achieved by merely adding a 4. separate supply line to the multi-channel conduit, obviating the necessity of periodic cycling.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the invention herein chosen for the purpose of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A tank cleaner comprising a conduit means rotatably attached to an inlet means, said inlet means being located on an inside surface of a tank to be cleaned;

said conduit means and said inside surface of said tank defining a tunnel; and

a plurality of ports in said conduit means in communication with said tunnel.

2. The tank cleaner of claim 1 and further including a means for moving said conduit means around said tank while maintaining said tunnel defined by said conduit means and said inside surface.

3. The tank cleaner of claim 2 wherein said means for moving said conduit around said tank comprises at least one jet located in said conduit means.

4. The tank cleaner of claim 1 and further including draining means for draining said tank, said draining means located in physical proximity to said inlet means.

5. The tank cleaner of claim 4 wherein said draining means and said inlet means are supplied by one line, liquid in said one line being periodically cycled for alternately supplying liquid to said conduit means and draining liquid through said draining means.

6. The tank cleaner of claim 5 and further wherein said means for reversing said fluid flow comprise a cyclically operated valving system connected between said single line and a pump.

7. The tank cleaner of claim 6 and further including means for eliminating any flow in said conduit means during a draining flow in said draining means.

8. The tank cleaner of claim 6 and further including means for eliminating any flow through said draining means during a flow in said conduit means.

9. The tank cleaner of claim 1 and further including a polishing means carried by said conduit means, said polishing means being located for physcial contact with said inside surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,980,934 4/1961 Steindorf 1s 1.7

3,107,385 10 /1963 Muller 15-316 3,247,968 4/1966 Miller 15-1.7 x

FOREIGN PATENTS 2,037,834 8/1935 Australia.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

E. L. ROBERTS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A TANK CLEANER COMPRISING A CONDUIT MEANS ROTATABLY ATTACHED TO AN INLET MEANS, SAID INLET MEANS BEING LOCATED ON AN INSIDE SURFACE OF A TANK TO BE CLEANED; SAID CONDUIT MEANS AND SAID INSIDE SURFACE OF SAID TANK DEFINING A TUNNEL; AND A PLURALITY OF PORTS IN SAID CONDUIT MEANS IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID TUNNEL. 